10/07/2013

San Diego Brewery Tours Autumn

It’s autumn! Perfect Timing for Brewery Tours in San Diego!

Local San Diego Breweries. What you should know!Stone Brewing Co. was founded in 1996 by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in San Marcos, California. Named "All-time Top Brewery on Planet E arth" by Beer Advocate magazine in 2008 and 2009, it’s "The most popular and highest rated brewery – ever!" What makes Stone Brewing Co. one of the fastest growing breweries in America in the past 15 years? Here are a few facts:

• INC 500 list two years in a row (2002 and 2003) • San Diego Business Journal's "Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies" 9 years in a row (2004-2012) • Averaging 43% year-to-year growth during the past 15 years • Currently distributed to 37 U.S. states and exported to UK, Puerto Rico Japan, Singapore and Sweden • 10th largest craft brewery in the U. S. (2013).

Each year over 50,000 people enjoy a guided tour of Stone Brewing Co. magnificent brewery. Tours are conducted daily by one of their outstanding Indoctrination Specialists and are, of course, followed by a guided tasting of their beer. With so many Stone fans joining them daily, it is important to plan your visit in advance to ensure the most amazing experience possible.The story of Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits began with a home brewer’s humble dream and involved home brewing in his back yard. Almost 15 years after, Ballast Point Brewing’s passionate team of craftsmen (and women) is still permanently innovating, trying new methods and new ingredients. They are working every day to increase capacity and trying to also meet the most challenging demands. More than anything, they are still staying true to their initial dream: Real beer lovers making real good beer. By the way: did you know why their beer labels still have fish on them? This is homage to the brewery’s origins (2 guys passionate about fishing and beer) and a reminder to always do what you love.

AleSmith Brewing Company is one of San Diego’s premier craft breweries. They create hand-forged award-winning ales that are anything but ordinary. Forged in 1995, AleSmith specializes in handcrafted ales in a multitude of styles. Deeply rooted in the amateur and craft brewing communities, AleSmith ales have continued to collect both national and international acclaim and awards, not to mention a loyal and rabid following among beer enthusiasts. In 2010, their Horny Devil was praised as “a bright, spicy, beautifully balanced brew that wears its 11 percent alcohol very lightly” and did place third in New York Times’ taste.

Located in San Diego County, CA, Green Flash Brewing Company specializes in brewing assertive and different beers, such as West Coast I.P.A., an award-winning beer whose wide acceptance has helped define a unique category. They also brew barrel-aged and seasonal beers. At this year’s Great American Beer Festival, Green Flash scored big in 3 highly competitive categories:

· Le Freak received the GOLD in the American Belgo category · in the Belgian Style Abbey Ale category, Trippel took the GOLD · in the Wood-and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout category, Silva Stout was awarded a SILVER medal

Over the past ten years, Green Flash has won at GABF a total of nine awards and is best known for taking an original and award-winning approach to reinventing classic Belgian and barrel-aged brews.Mission Brewery started in the tiny spaces of Dan Selis’s kitchen and garage and finally got to its final location in the historic Wonder Bread Building in downtown San Diego. Its newest venue is far from a homemade garage set-up, occupying more than 14,000 square feet, and with the capacity to produce 10,000-plus barrels a year. The new amazing space also has a gorgeous tasting room that can accommodate up to 400 people, so what are you waiting for?

Coronado Brewing Company's premier microbrewery and brewpub is crafting some of the best beer in California since 1996. In 2012 they built a brand new 30-barrel brew house in a 22,000 square foot building on Knoxville St. in San Diego’s Tecolote Canyon area. This production facility will provide enough space for an overall annual capacity of 60,000 barrels, giving CBC fanatics the tasting room they deserved, in which to wrap their palates around even more original beer styles.

The original manufacturing facility known as San Diego Brewing Company® opened in 1896. Their beers were said to “sparkle like nectar” and today they carry on the tradition that was started back in the days. Along with an assortment of fresh beers brewed on the premises, they offer up to fifty taps of beer, providing a brew to satisfy each and every taste.

The Lost Abbey took the Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and adapted their story to the world of beer lovers, until it became a struggle between Good and Evil beer. According to their belief, everywhere we turn, there is an ongoing battle being waged between those who make good beer and those who make evil beer. The famed Lost Abbey line of Belgian-inspired beers produced by Port Brewing Co. of San Marcos, California has inspired beer for sinners and saints alike and if you’re not lucky enough to live within driving distance of their brewery and tasting room, then you’ll be excited to find out that Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey beers are distributed all across North America.

Iron Fist Brewing Company is another important part of the exciting San Diego craft beer scene and is a family owned brewery located in Vista, California. Their passion for the best hand crafted beer prompted them to make the best of it. They soon discovered they were producing a bit more than they could drink themselves, so they decided to go with the surplus on the market and sell it to beer lovers.

The original The Aztec Brewery was actually started in Mexico during Prohibition. When Prohibition ended, it was moved to San Diego and became known as ABC - Aztec Brewing Company. In 1953, competitor from the Midwest purchased the brewery. The brand was later retired and disappeared from San Diego.

In 2008, John Webster discovered the brand and thought of bringing it back to life, together with his partner, Claudia Faulk. Two years later, they joined forces with brewer Rob Esposito and in 2011 they opened a small production brewery with tap room in Vista, California. They combine perfectly a taste of nostalgia with a little touch of new life.

While they’re constantly working on reviving the old style brand, they’re keeping up with the importance of being green and natural. They use high quality hops and choice malts. It costs more, indeed, but it’s worth it. Their customers love it because they want to be able to savor the flavor before tasting it. The Aztec Brewery’s beers range in flavors mild to strong. The alcohol levels vary as well. From a good kick back beer, to a beer that will kick back. Indian Joe Brewing is another micro-brewery located in Vista, California with an exquisite selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The company primarily brews premium handcrafted, high quality beverages for distribution and on premise consumption.

Each brewery has a special history, uniqueness and beer flavors. Since it’s autumn, it couldn’t be a better time to engage in some serious beer-related activities such as tastings a brewery tour in a limo with your friends. Aall In Limo has some of the best brew tours in town, book with them and get 1 hour for free if you book at least 5 hours, and get free champagne.